The Case-Mate Tough Case for the HTC One M8

This case gives the HTC One M8 some grip it's sorely lacking

We sometimes joke about using a large phone to bludgeon someone. Or sometimes you'll pack your phone in one of those large "rugged" shells and see what kind of damage you can do. But rarely do we look at one of those form fitting cases as a blunt instrument.

The Tough Case comes in two pieces — the usual sort of rubber inner shell (that frankly I didn't even notice at first as I just shoved my phone inside and went on my way — and a more rigid outer shell. (You'll notice when you take your phone out, though.) They combine to create an impressively sturdy case that still keeps the overall size and shape of the phone. It adds a little bulk, sure, but it makes up for it with some really good texture to add grip that the M8 so desperately needs.

And, well, that's it. The whole thing just feels so solid. You get the standard points about lifting the display off of desks a millimeter or two when left face down, and there are cutouts for the cameras, microphones, headphone jack and USB port. The power button cover is transparent as to not block IR signals that live within it, and the volume button almost looks like it's the phone's, and not part of the cover.

Really, though, it's the grip and texture that stand out here. I'm not usually a case person — the M8 has been the sole outlier for me. I might never take this one off.